Joseph Rene Vaillancourt

Gorham, NH

Joseph "Rene" Vaillancourt of Highland Ave, Gorham, NH passed away on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at St. Vincent de Paul Nursing Home Facility after a short illness. He was 84.

Born in Berlin, NH on June 24, 1932 he was the son of Emile and Rose (Drapeau) Vaillancourt.

Joseph served twenty years in the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1952 until 1972. During his time with the Air Force he was in France, Guam, Vietnam and completed his career back in the United States. He served in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was awarded a badge for his service as an Aircrew Member and Aeronautical Order in recognition of his performance as an Airborne Language Interpreter while stationed at Bien Hoa AB, Republic of Vietnam. While on station, he served as a French Language Interpreter, acting as a liaison between French-speaking ground forces and Airborne Forward Air Controllers. Joseph flew a total of 80 combat missions, earning 5 Air Medals. He met his first wife (Collette) during his first tour in France.

Following the end of his career with the Air Force he then worked the next 24 years as a colorist at Brown Company.

In 2005 he met his current wife Margaret (Nason) and they built their life living in Gorham, NH. They enjoyed traveling, most enjoying trips to California. They were communicants of Holy Family Parish and they especially enjoyed spending time with family.

Joseph is predeceased by his parents, his first wife Collette; three brothers and one sister.

He leaves behind his loving wife Margaret of Gorham, NH; two sisters Doris Newman and Annette LHeureux; two step-daughters Debbie Dupuis and husband Louis of Berlin, NH; Tina Laramee and husband John of Weare, NH; a step-son Clark Nason and wife Jen of Chelmsford, MA; four step-grandchildren; eight step-great grandchildren;. Numerous nieces and nephews from all over the US and in France are left to carry on the Vaillancourt name.

Friends and relatives may call on the family on Sunday, August 14th from 4:00pm til 7:00pm and on Monday, August 15th from 8:30am til 9:30am at Fleury-Patry Funeral Home, 72 High Street, Berlin, NH.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish on Monday, August 15th at 10:00am. Burial will follow at Holy Family Cemetery in Gorham, NH.

In Lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to The Alzheimers Association, 10 Ferry Street, Suite 427B, Concord, NH 03301-5004.

Online guestbook at www.fleury-patry.com